UPDATED: Gilbert Arenas's contract will not be voided by Wizards

Updated 10:17 p.m.

For the first time, Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld publicly shot down speculation that the team would look into terminating the remaining four years and more than $80 million remaining on suspended guard Gilbert Arenas's contract.

"We're not going to void his contract, and as we've said all along, he's going to be with us," Grunfeld said Saturday at a hastily arranged news conference before the Wizards' game at Verizon Center against the Utah Jazz.

A person with knowledge of the Wizards' thinking said on Friday that the Pollin family was not interested in pursuing the complicated task of contract termination, which has never been successfully carried out in the NBA. Grunfeld went a step further Saturday, making the case for welcoming back the three-time all-star into the fold.

"I think people sometimes tend to forget that he's still one of the best players in this league. He averaged 23 points and seven assists when he was with us," Grunfeld said. "He's a dynamic player and he was just coming back off injury. So we plan to have him back and we plan to have him in uniform this year."

The gun incident embarrassed the franchise and generated hard feelings on both sides. The Wizards organization was upset with Arenas's initial carefree attitude, while Arenas was angered that the team distanced itself by ceasing to promote him and sell his jersey in the wake of the incident, which also led to Arenas's NBA-mandated suspension in January for the remainder of the season. Grunfeld said that he has not spoken with Arenas in a few months, but plans to soon sit down with him. He added that Arenas might have to regain the trust of fans upon his return.

"Gilbert is one of the more popular athletes to play in D.C. in a really long time. And a lot of people had a lot of great affection for him," he said. "He did some magnificent things on the basketball court and what happened a few months ago, some people are disappointed in. He has to maybe get the love back from some of those people, but I think a lot of people will accept it and there may be some that don't. Only time will tell what those percentages are going to be."

The incident and its aftermath expedited the rebuilding process for the Wizards, with Grunfeld making several cost-cutting deals at the trade deadline to ship away Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson. The moves brought the Wizards below the luxury tax threshold this season and created nearly $18.7 million in available cap room for this offeseason -- trailing only the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.

With the fourth-worst record in the NBA, the Wizards are ensured a high lottery pick, and they also acquired a first-round choice from Cleveland.

"I think we put ourselves in a position, where we have a lot of flexibility with the trades that we've made," Grunfeld said. "We have a lot of cap room. We have a lot of draft picks. All of these are going to help us to improve the team and getting a player like Gilbert into the fold is only going to help."

"Good players always want to play with good players and they want to be in good situations and at the end of the day, they want to have a nice salary," he said. "We're in a position that we can afford those nice salaries if that's what we choose to do this summer. We might do some things this summer, but we might do save some money for the following summer."

Grunfeld said that he has not spoken with prospective new owner Ted Leonsis because he still answers to the Pollin family. But when asked if he was confident that Leonsis would allow him to complete the next reclamation project, Grunfeld sounded hopeful.

"I think I'm pretty good at what I do. I have a pretty good track record and we'll see when new ownership takes over what happens," Grunfeld said. "I think we've done a pretty good job here and if you look at the other places I've been, I've rebuilt several teams, many times over. So I'm confident in my abilities. It's a good challenge and I'm looking forward to it."

Can't we just start over? We have to get rid of G.A... Legally, how can this contract not be voided? What world are we living in? If I went to work and offered up a gun choice for my co-worker, I WOULD BE FIRED!!! I do not forgive him and I do not want him! Lets Go CAPS!!!

I am happy Gill will be back with us .Don't forget all he has done in the past for this city. He has helped a lot of kids and schools.He is still a good person .I hope he comes back to Barry Farms this summer. Good luck Gill and welcome back.

something gilbert said in court yesterday..(im with my teammates more then my real family so they are my real family...families have fights and they make up .i forgive everyone i dont hold grudges i wish everyone could forgive me)....if u cant forgive sumone u have too much hate in ur heart becuz lets rememeber he didnt do sh-t to u guys so why the hell are u all mad....if him and jc are friends...why are we still MAD...in the last 2 months they called and texted each other 246 times...and they have ever reason to diss like each other...

Judge who sentenced Gil Arenas buttocks like basketball and loves the big money peeps before his honor in court no doubt. Now, the rest of us should never bring guns to the job or threaten anyone with a gun YOU will go to jail more often than not. The Gilbert Arenas got more game and no shame and who is to blame for his flame?

Arenas is simply another reason why the GOP will win in 2012.... Just another prime example why the Black man cant lead..... A disgrace to his race.... Just remember Gilbert you had your finger on the trigger that killed the Black mans hope....

Watching a great Kentucky-WVa game. Since it is looking like we will have Gil on the floor next year, as well as Blatche, I think Cousins has to be off of our draft list. Totally basing this on nothing but watching his body language during games, so take that for what it's worth.

His temperment reminds me a bit of Rasheed Wallace, without the over-the-top moments. He seems to pout a lot. No question he is very talented, just like Rasheed and should ultimately make a good pro. But for a team with two guys prone to knuckleheaded behavior already featured (will Blatche continue to mature, or revert with Gil back next year?), I don't know if they can afford another potentially bad attitude.

As an aside, nice to see Rod Strickland on the bench with Calipari. Always kind of liked him as a Wizard depsite his faults. The only things that were missing were the hot dog and the towel.

Arenas is simply another reason why the GOP will win in 2012.... Just another prime example why the Black man cant lead..... A disgrace to his race.... Just remember Gilbert you had your finger on the trigger that killed the Black mans hope....

Posted by: waxtraxs

You seem to be lost, the racist rant board is two blogs over to the far right.

Clearly the Wizards have determined that they cannot void the contract. Even if the organization made the determination that Gilbert makes the team better, there is no way they think he will ever be nearly the player he was before his injuries. They certainly could not think he is worth half of what they owe him.

So the only explanation is that their lawyers can't figure out a way to dump him.

Boy, it sure will be great seeing Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison in The Finals this year! Just like old times when Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace, and the rest of the escapees were able to win it all!

Yep. The Wizards are one of the best farm teams in the league. Can't wait to see who they get next.

Um, extrapolating the ability of one black man (President Obama) based on the behavior of another black man who bears no connection to him other than the color or their skin? Doesn't that define racist? By the way, isn't the GOP currently run by a black man?

Gilbert Arenas bringing guns into the arena affects the positive image only of Gilbert Arenas.

It's no surprise, really, that Leonsis would keep Grunfeld on as GM, at least for the immediate future. Leonsis has been a 45% owner for Grunfeld's whole tenure, and while Abe had majority control, it is fair to assume that Leonsis has been in the loop all along,and is in the position to judge whether Grunfeld knows his stuff or not. So I think we are hearing that Leonsis has made the call on that.

Tonights game another example of the opposition just hanging for 3 Q's & then just playing their game and blowing out the much lesser talented Wizzies. I think this cudda been a 30 point game by 1/2 time if the Jazz tried.
At least everyone is getting to play.
Not like last year.

Hey Ernie this is the reason why I will never spend $200 for a Wizards ticket again. You will continue to pay this idiot Gilbert, nothing is done to Andre for mouthing off to the coach-in fact the coach apologizes and the player is not even benched. Your organization is a disgrace. I don't want my children exposed to the Wizards. I will no longer support this team.

Hey Ernie this is the reason why I will never spend $200 for a Wizards ticket again. You will continue to pay this idiot Gilbert, nothing is done to Andre for mouthing off to the coach-in fact the coach apologizes and the player is not even benched. Your organization is a disgrace. I don't want my children exposed to the Wizards. I will no longer support this team.

Posted by: kiko9999 | March 27, 2010 10:47 PM

And who do you really think your hurting by not supporting the wizards? Your kids or other fans?...because by you and your kids not coming to any games, ACTUALLY helps " REAL, LOYAL, and DEDICATED TRUE FANS " because thats more seats that are open for others to buy!! RETARD!

As a long time Caps supporter since '79, ironically the year I started supporting the Bullets too, I hope TeddyL some how get rid of the whiney, b!tchy stupid stink that is the Wiz crtics errrm...fans.

They are the bad luck & hex on this franchise . They alone have brought this upon themselves.

And who do you really think your hurting by not supporting the wizards? Your kids or other fans?...because by you and your kids not coming to any games, ACTUALLY helps " REAL, LOYAL, and DEDICATED TRUE FANS " because thats more seats that are open for others to buy!! RETARD!

Posted by: rf2litenva
Yea im sure they will be lining up to see a lottery team.

Bad move on Ernie and new owner Ted. No closure until Arenas is removed from the DC area. The district is a proving ground for violence, gangs, and shootings. The Wizards are sending a message "it's ok to do this."

If Gil and Ernie don't bear grudges against each other, welcoming Gil back can work -- as long as Gil is not pg.

A lot of Ernie's "mistakes" were apparent only in hindsight (after bad luck like injuries), and Abe likely was a big influence in some decisions (Gil's big salary). Regular readers of WI have plowed this field many times before. If Ted, the man paying the bills and sitting across the table from Ernie looking him in the eyes, still thinks Ernie's got it and is not burnt out because of all this, then I'm for Ernie staying.

I am pretty sure that Leonsis has approved of Gil staying with the Wizards, he does own 44% already. In an interview, Leonsis was asked about the Gilbert situationa and he said he believes in forgiveness and looks at the overall character of the individual. But, know this, Gil will be kept on a short lease if need be. I say Welcome Back Gil. He created the mess and brought the organization down, if he loves Pollin as he claims, then he should do whatever is in his power to bring back some positiveness to them as well.

I also meant to say, give him a chance. I truly believes he feels horrible about the situation and serves no one any purpose to keep harping on it. It is, what it is. I say add some additional pieces and let's roll with it.

Hey Ernie this is the reason why I will never spend $200 for a Wizards ticket again. You will continue to pay this idiot Gilbert, nothing is done to Andre for mouthing off to the coach-in fact the coach apologizes and the player is not even benched. Your organization is a disgrace. I don't want my children exposed to the Wizards. I will no longer support this team.

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Arenas is simply another reason why the GOP will win in 2012.... Just another prime example why the Black man cant lead..... A disgrace to his race.... Just remember Gilbert you had your finger on the trigger that killed the Black mans hope....